Starting part time - Questions

CarolinaShine

CarolinaShine

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Hey all. I've been detailing family members and friends cars for a while..just recently purchased a PC and got into machine polishing. I'm looking to start doing detailing on the side part time soon. Anyways I don't get many weekdays off and have the day off so I wanted to get some of my ducks in a row while I can today.

Things I plan on getting done today -
1 - File for a DBA in my county
2 - File for a business license in my town
3 - Apply for a federal EIN
4 - Get some insurance quotes
5 - Register domain

After I get my EIN i can open a business checking account, I've already ordered a credit card reader from Intuit Gopayment.

Is there anything else that yall can think of? I'm not looking to start advertising my services just yet but don't want to have to scramble to do anything when it's time, I'd like to have everything in place already so that I can take off running(hopefully) I do have a business plan started and will finish that up before starting out.

My mom is a CPA so that will help me out a ton with the financial/tax side of everything, and my brother in law is a designer/web guy so I'll get with him to design logo and work on a website. I've also ordered Mike Phillips book and Renny Doyles book on starting a detailing business. I've learned a lot on here also from members and especially from Mike's articles, so thanks everyone! I look forward to learning a lot more.
 
I was thinking about posting the same type of question today.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AG Online
 
I recommend a business plan. You are definitely on the right track and a business plan will definitely help you focus.
 
You can't open till they approve your business license and would get the insurance first.
 
mwoolfso said:
I recommend a business plan. You are definitely on the right track and a business plan will definitely help you focus.
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Yeah a business plan will be finalized before I start advertising. I've written a few, I think it is imperative for any business to have one.
 
Pureshine said:
You can't open till they approve your business license and would get the insurance first.
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I won't be operating until I have both, just getting everything in place now so I can start when I want to.
 
Have you taken a look at all the stickys on this section of the forum? lots of good info there. But id say your pretty much on the right track.:xyxthumbs:
when you say these,

2 - File for a business license in my town
3 - Apply for a federal EIN
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do you mean getting a LLC? or ?
 
No, I'm forming as a Sole proprietorship.

I don't have to have an EIN, but I wanted one so I don't have to use my SSN for town licenses, bank accounts, etc.


I got pretty much everything done today that I wanted to. Filed my DBA w/ the county, applied for a business license, got a federal EIN, and registered my domain/set up email. Now I just need to work on a logo and a website.
 
Sounds like your on the right track. Have you looked into how much insurance is going to run? Also were there any extra permits you needed to get when you when and spoke with the city?
 
I don't mean to thread jack, but do you have to register for a business, especially if you are making less than $10000 a year and working mobile/in your house?
 
ARizzle said:
I don't mean to thread jack, but do you have to register for a business, especially if you are making less than $10000 a year and working mobile/in your house?
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From my experience with part time businesses (and not intended as legal advice), it Probably depends on your location. Most cities and counties require a business license if you make ANY money at the business. And income tax is reportable for every penny.
 
ProDetail said:
Pick up this book, it'll be the best thing you can do.

How to Start a Home-based Car Detailing Business

It'll be the best $20 you've ever spent detailing related.
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I agree, I'm only on Chapter 4, but already, the amount of knowledge and experience in this book is unbelievable! You even have people from various companies (Meguiar's) providing their experiences as well!

All in all, I know this book is going to be a great read.
 
JimB204 said:
I'm not looking to start advertising my services just yet but don't want to have to scramble to do anything when it's time, I'd like to have everything in place already so that I can take off running(hopefully) I do have a business plan started and will finish that up before starting out.
Click to expand...

I would be putting a marketing plan into effect asap. Unless you already have some customers it could take some time before you start getting any. Days, weeks, months ??? The legalities of start-up is just boiler plate stuff & takes a few days, which you already know. Getting your name out there & generating customers could take some time.

And now would be the time to start planting seeds b/c spring is a month away especially if you're in NC like your avatar suggests. (Not that it's ever really winter here.) Then you'll have someplace to run to when you're ready. :cool:
 
T3 AutoDetails said:
Sounds like your on the right track. Have you looked into how much insurance is going to run? Also were there any extra permits you needed to get when you when and spoke with the city?
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Didn't talk to insurance yet, from what I've read it should be around $900-$1200.

I don't think I need any additional permits, I'm waiting on the city to approve my business license though..they said it should only take 2 or 3 days.
 
Robert8194 said:
From my experience with part time businesses (and not intended as legal advice), it Probably depends on your location. Most cities and counties require a business license if you make ANY money at the business. And income tax is reportable for every penny.
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At least where I am in NC, you only have to have a business license. If working under a fictitious name you have to file for a DBA. You don't have to have insurance, although I wouldn't want to be doing business without it. And yes, you have to keep track of income for the IRS.
 
BorisC said:
I would be putting a marketing plan into effect asap. Unless you already have some customers it could take some time before you start getting any. Days, weeks, months ??? The legalities of start-up is just boiler plate stuff & takes a few days, which you already know. Getting your name out there & generating customers could take some time.

And now would be the time to start planting seeds b/c spring is a month away especially if you're in NC like your avatar suggests. (Not that it's ever really winter here.) Then you'll have someplace to run to when you're ready. :cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I am working on marketing strategies, I just don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I'm expecting it to take a while to build customers..that's okay with me. This will only be a night/weekend thing anyways.

I've got about everything I need to go have a mobile set up, I plan on doing some families/friends cars with this set up(instead of doing them in my garage) to get a real feel for it and figure out products and the timing of everything. This will help me set my services and prices.
 
JimB204 said:
Thanks for the advice. I am working on marketing strategies, I just don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I'm expecting it to take a while to build customers..that's okay with me. This will only be a night/weekend thing anyways.

I've got about everything I need to go have a mobile set up, I plan on doing some families/friends cars with this set up(instead of doing them in my garage) to get a real feel for it and figure out products and the timing of everything. This will help me set my services and prices.
Click to expand...

Congrats go for it. Sounds like you've given it plenty of thought and are approaching it methodically. Start slow and build from there. Work 3 weekends a month 2-3 cars each will bring in some nice cash flow. Or set Sat as your paint corrections day 1 car and save quick details wash/wax for Sundays 2-4 cars. Sat being your harder workiing day and Sunday gets the cars looking good for the work week.
 
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